Salary guide
Exercise Physiologist Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What exercise physiologists earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median exercise physiologist salary in the U.S. is $59,460 per year, or $28.59 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $42,760, while the top 10% earned more than $80,560.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Exercise Physiologist pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,760 | $20.56 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $49,620 | $23.86 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $59,460 | $28.59 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $67,230 | $32.32 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $80,560 | $38.73 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $49,620 | $59,460 | $67,230 |
| Per month | $4,135 | $4,955 | $5,603 |
| Every two weeks | $1,908 | $2,287 | $2,586 |
| Per week | $954 | $1,143 | $1,293 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects exercise physiologist pay
- Commission, booth rental or self-employment versus hourly pay
- Tips and product sales
- Repeat clients and reputation
- State licenses and specialty certifications
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as an exercise physiologist
- Get credentialed: ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP), ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP), BLS or ACLS.
- Build specialty experience: Test and prescribe exercise.
- Move up: roles such as clinical exercise physiologist and rehab program manager typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Exercise Physiologist pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of exercise physiologists to change by +12.8% from 2025–35, much faster than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,400 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 29-1128 (“Exercise physiologists”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Exercise Physiologist salary FAQ
How much does an exercise physiologist make per hour?
The median hourly wage for exercise physiologists was $28.59 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $20.56 and the top 10% earned about $38.73 or more.
How much does an exercise physiologist make a month?
At the median annual wage of $59,460, that works out to about $4,955 per month before taxes, or about $2,287 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for an exercise physiologist?
New exercise physiologists often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $42,760 and the 25th percentile was $49,620 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can exercise physiologists earn more?
Common ways include earning ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP) and ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP), gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as clinical exercise physiologist.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 29-1128 (Exercise physiologists).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Exercise physiologists (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.